So many years already, time to get a new one. Good luck with your weaving.

I would probably get somebody to come and remove the seat, get some plywood and nail that down. Quite hopeless at this DIY kind of thing. I think there are shops here that would do it nicely, can even have the seats padded some more. Guess if you have those there, they would not be very affordable. I knew a university lecturer in the UK who did the renovations and repairs in his house all by himself - could not afford to get somebody to do it. Lots of DIY shops there, same in Oz, I guess.

The thing is my boss doesn't want padded seats, for some reason not very clear to me. Otherwise there are plenty of padded chairs available. I did think of replacing it with plywood, but thought trying to weave it would be a nice challenge. It would be a pity to throw them out as structurally they are still very good.

Arthur, your visuals tell the story so well - reminds me of those old wooden kopi-tiam chairs which we are so attached to and want to preserve as they exude a certain charm and feel of comfort, lacking from most modern chairs. They also seem to provide good ventilation at the seat where it is most needed!

When I visited Malacca, I would pick up those low stools made of thick bamboos which you can rest your bums on ( while squatting like the street vendors) while reading your newspapers.

Being the perennial handyman that you are, I am positive of and wishing you a good outcome.

My earlier comment seemed to hv vaporized ! I am confident you can do a beautiful job Arthur, with some help from those little fingers which are good at threading the strings when gaps are small.My dining chairs were sold to me as leather, but turned out as pseudo leather from china n they started to flake.I decided to buy material n make covers for them n hv no clue how to start .The first one took me a week to do n as I progressed, I learnt new approaches n my 6th chair took me 10 mins.

Thank you for your encouraging words and the account of your progress from first chair to sixth. But you have the advantage on me as you have not left your name. Whoever you are, thanks again. Your comment is much appreciated